Squeaky brakes - first timer

[shanester]

This question is coming from a guy whose first DIY oil change is happening in a few weeks and is losing sleep about the excitement - so bear with me.

Definitely got some squeaky brakes going on - I'm thinking it's the fronts. How do I go about diagnosing the problem? How would I know if the brake pads need to be replaced? This is will be a huge job for me so I'd love all of the detail I can get about changing out brake pads on my 2002 LC.

I've watched about a million YouTube videos on it so far but I'd love to know specifics from my fellow hundy owners. Really appreciate it guys.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Easiest way is to pull a tire and inspect the pads. Window in the back of the caliper makes it very easy to see how much material is on there.

 

[shanester]

Thanks Trunk Monkey. Would it be obvious to the untrained eye when inspecting? Where can I find the best replacements?

 

[PADDO]

A good rule of thumb is to replace your pads when the friction material has worn down to the thickness of the metal backing plate, and definitely when the squeal tab is doing its thing. You can't go wrong with OE Toyota pads as default or any of the name brand pads for that matter. I happen to prefer Akebono and they come with shim plates. Amazon works well for pricing and shipping. If you watch too many YouTube vids you may get confused with random stuff, like electronic wear sensors, that aren't applicable to LCs so I'd just stick to LC or LX videos. Your OE jack is satisfactory (obviously) for removing wheels and inspecting but please don't rely on it if you're doing any work on/under your vehicle - get Santa to bring you solid over capacity jack stands and a trolley jack, and a torque wrench and........

 

[re_guderian]

Strangely, the 100-series eats rear brakes fatser than the fronts. So if you pull the front wheels and pads look ok, move to the rear. It's also possible for a good coating of mud and dust to make them squeak, and just require a good cleaning.

If it's your first time, use your smartphone camera to take pictures before you start and add you go to make sure reassembly goes correctly.

 

[arcteryx]

Please clarify- are they squeaking when braking or making a noise while driving down the road with no braking? If the latter, they are hitting your wear indicators as @PADDO said. This means they should be changed very soon as the pads are very thin.

A visual is always good, using @Trunk Monkey 's suggestion. If they squeal only when braking that could be a few different causes, but your pads could be good. I just swapped out new rotors/pads on the fronts and now they squeak, I need to fix that but haven't had time yet. It's completely safe, just annoying to hear.

 

[shanester]

Great stuff guys - so appreciated. @arcteryx they are squeaking while braking only.

Would somebody mind confirming these for me? I found these for the fronts:

http://www.amazon.com/Toyota-Genuine-Parts-04465-60230-Front/dp/B004SL0MRS/?tag=ihco-20

And these for the rears:

Amazon.com: Toyota Genuine Parts 04466-60070 Rear Brake Pad Set: Automotive

That's a lot more spend that I thought it would be. Are there any other pads I should look into besides OEM?

 

[PADDO]

Akebono ACT 772 and ACT 773 are great pads, under $100 for front and rear.

 

[arcteryx]

Please don't take this the wrong way but.... if you think $120 for all 4 OEM pads is a lot for the pieces that stop the 5500 lb moving mass of metal you and your family are in, you won't like many of the other maintenance items and replacement parts required to own a 100 series. I mean, what is the delta between OEM pads and say, Raybestos or Duralast (poor quality)? $20-40 at most and you are entrusting an inferior product that will almost certainly need replacement sooner. Saving a few bucks for something so critical doesn't make sense IMO. But it's your budget.

Reach out to @cruiserdan or @beno for the pads, they give discounts to mudders.

Side note- there are times to go OEM and there are times to go aftermarket. Sometime OEM is less, sometimes not. Sometimes there are superior products to OEM. Akebono is/was a good brand, I have not used them in years so I cannot attest to how they are for 100s.

 

[billygoats]

Don't wait til it's too late!!

 

[shanester]

Please don't take this the wrong way but.... if you think $120 for all 4 OEM pads is a lot for the pieces that stop the 5500 lb moving mass of metal you and your family are in, you won't like many of the other maintenance items and replacement parts required to own a 100 series. I mean, what is the delta between OEM pads and say, Raybestos or Duralast (poor quality)? $20-40 at most and you are entrusting an inferior product that will almost certainly need replacement sooner. Saving a few bucks for something so critical doesn't make sense IMO. But it's your budget.

Reach out to @cruiserdan or @beno for the pads, they give discounts to mudders.

Side note- there are times to go OEM and there are times to go aftermarket. Sometime OEM is less, sometimes not. Sometimes there are superior products to OEM. Akebono is/was a good brand, I have not used them in years so I cannot attest to how they are for 100s.

The surprise for me comes from having no point of reference since I've never purchased brake pads before. I have zero problems paying for quality which was why I asked for more recommendations. I was hoping there were better performers but I obviously welcome a better value if the community has great feedback on something.

 

[bctlex]

Just another point of reference, I really like performance friction pads that I put in our Sequoia. Quiet, last about 65K miles, performed better than OEM. Replaced PF with Hawk LTS, didnt like that one as much. No complaint with the performance, but squealed pretty loud. Sold the car, so not sure if the noise gets better with time. I have not replaced pads on LC, but definitely lots of good choices on the market.